I usually just buy regular size spools of thread for my machines but recently had several cones of threads and some other larger size spools of thread given to me and I need to know what I can buy as far as an adapter to use this thread on my machines?

If you have something you use and it works I would like to know what it is... and if you happen to have a picture of it that would be awesome too! Thanks in advance!!!

http://www.thatthreadshop.com/accessories.htm#conestand

I just use this. I don't think it even cost that much. I probably got it at Joanns or Walmart, and it's lasted me for ten years or more.

I used a coffee cop to put my large spools in , until I bought a spool holder like Cathe's. I like the holder better, but the cup worked ok for a while. :roll: :roll: :roll: Pam W. :D :D :D

I take the spool pin out and put a chop stick in for the large spools. :D

Wow, great ideas! LOL Thanks for all of them! I might have to invest in one of those cone stands....that looks like it would work pretty good.....I wish it would show in the picture on that website, what it has on the stand under the cone of thread they have showing tho.

Speaking of large cones of thread, can anyone tell me the difference in these large cones for serging and regular sewing thread for machine quilting or piecing? I see this often on sale at Hancock Fabrics, but resist buying these because I don't know if this type thread is appropriate for machine piecing/quilting. Can anyone clear this up for me?

Good question! I'm curious too as most of what was given to me of course was unwrapped already so don't even know what its made out of! But I have used some of it for piecing (I held onto the spool, wound up bobbins and put the bobbins on my machine spindle! LOL)

I get big cones of thread from commercial sewing places - usually inside the cone, there will be a tag that tells what it's made of. If not, look at thread under magnifying glass, and you can usually tell if it is cotton, synthetic, or a blend. The couple times I have used serger thread, it has been very linty, and easy to tell that it was not made for sewing machine. The wooly kind would be too stretchy/springy to be much good for piecing.

Thank you, Moonpi, that is very helpful!

yes, it was! I never thought to look inside the cones.... so I just did, some of mine do have the labels! and some don't.

I just slip a small spool of thread inside it, and it fits on my reg. machine. upside down of course!!! :mrgreen:

Question for you... Do you have any issues with tension or knotting when you do this?

Cones are suppose to unwind off the end, unlike spools which unwind off the side. It's how they were wound on.

I use the cone holder that sits next to my machine.

tim in san jose

I use the same stand as Cathe. It's very sturdy and got mine for about $5.00 at my Janome dealer. My daughter-in-law got one that is made of plastic (about the same price) at Hancocks. Both work fine!

no, I haven't had any trouble with the cone and tension, it works just like any other spool. I have been using them for about a year with no problem.
:mrgreen:

A friend of mine uses the large cones on her machine.. She cuts the bottom off of a 2L pop bottle.. Sets it over the cone and brings the thread up through the neck of the bottle.. I was going to try her trick this week :lol:

The cone stand looks more professional though :wink:

I use the large cones of thread for all my piecing. My new machine has the threader for these cones, otherwise I use the cone stand on my other machines. I've never had a problem using this type of thread for piecing or quilting at all.

Well, here's something else I found...anybody have one of these?

http://columbiariverquilting.com/deelybob_ii.html
Deelybob II

I was going to get one of those deelybobs, but I found that one of my serger cones worked the same way. And they were really inexpensive at my quilt shop.

Try a coffee cup. It works well and is FREE! GiGi